The population of Upper Mount Bethel Township was 6,063 at the 2000 census.

History

Upper Mt. Bethel Township has always been a rural community. Residential homes and farmlands dot the countryside and the Village of Mount Bethel forms the residential, cultural and economic heart of the Township. There are also other smaller villages located throughout the Township but the rural character of the area remains the predominant and valued feature for most of the residents. Some of the smaller villages include Stone Church. located along the westerly end of Rt. 611; Shooktown, located in the northwesterly section of the Township at the North Bangor section of the Township; Johnsonville, an older historic village located at the north of Rt. 512 at the intersection of Ridge Road and Totts Gap Road; Slateford, located in the northeasterly section of the Township; Echo Lake, a small community located along the easterly side of Totts Gap Road, north of Johnsonville; and Tuscarora-Shawnee, located along the southerly portion of the Delaware River which includes a Conference Center, seasonal vacation homes and its own sewer system.

The easterly and southern boundaries of the Township are bordered entirely by the Delaware River. The northerly boundary of the Township is bounded by Monroe County and the Kittatiny Mountain Range, including the lands of the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. The Appalachian Trail also runs along the northern boundary of the township. The western boundary of the Township is bordered by Washington and Lower Mount Bethel Townships and by the Borough of East Bangor.

Significant natural features in the Township include outstanding geologic features, critical wildlife habitats, rare plant communities and threatened or endangered species. Some historical sites and buildings in the Township include the Slate Belt Museum and the Slateford Farm.

Demographics

As of the census2 of 2000, there were 6,063 people, 2,363 households, and 1,732 families residing in the township. The population density was 54.0/km² (139.7/mi²). There were 2,574 housing units at an average density of 22.9/km² (59.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the township was 97.89% White, 0.69% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.39% of the population.

There were 2,363 households out of which 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.4% were married couples living together, 6.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.7% were non-families. 21.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the township the population was spread out with 22.8% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 100.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.6 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $45,617, and the median income for a family was $54,692. Males had a median income of $38,914 versus $23,906 for females. The per capita income for the township was $21,116. About 4.6% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.